A very recent release from Matt Harper delivers a wondrous blend of electronic-backed soundscapes that all come with different Vibes and atmospheres that you end up falling right into.
The Change the World EP has a very robust and unique approach that blends not only genres together but textures as well and this is part of what helps create these lush feels and vibes that the record gives off throughout its course.
This release wastes no time taking you into his world and it is a fun and colorful world to be in. Still, it also has its bouts of edginess, and I think the meshing together of the vibrant atmosphere and the edgy undertones makes this release so unique.
This record has a soiree of classic influences pulsing through its veins and each different track shows you a slightly different side of those influences and of the songwriting approach that Matt utilizes.
I can hear everything from post-punk, electronica, EDM, synth-pop, and even new wave just flowing through this record.
I love all of these genres and to have one release that encompasses so much electronic music culture is completely refreshing.
Throughout it all you have a sort of vast undertone which gives things a slightly cinematic feel and the vocals have a great distance to them by use of the reverb effect and I think that certainly helps the record's spaciousness.
There's a lot of attention to detail that went into the creation of this track and there are certain songs that span almost six and a half minutes long so when you listen to this record, it's a bit of an escape and you're pulled out from wherever you are and put into this whole other world for a chunk of time.
This is also sort of a rarity these days so having it now was super fun, and you can hear how Matt is just in his zone when he's alone doing his thing in his studio.
The use of synth and key sounds was perfectly chosen, and this is something that helped build the aesthetic for the record itself, and the entire aesthetic is something that gave me bouts of nostalgia from beginning to end.
He was able to nail that particular and classic sort of '80s and '90s pop soundscape and it felt so natural and forward moving throughout the record too.
The vocal approach was excellent as it did indeed give more depth to the tracks and a lot of the melodies and hooks that are memorable from the songs come from those vocals as well although I can't say the production really took the cake on this record.
The EP is four tracks, and a radio edit of one of the best ones called "In Memory" and this is one of those songs that sticks with you for hours after it has ended and the only way to satiate it is to go and listen to it again.
If you listen to the whole EP, then you really get an understanding of the world that it gives off. Listening to one or two tracks from this record will give you a gist but it won't give you the full spectrum of what the EP has to offer as a whole.
There are a few surprises around the corners, and an amazing balance of textures that blend and flow into each other.
Certain tracks feel like there's a ton going on, but it all makes perfect sense and still has that same forward moving flow.
These are tracks you can dance to, sing along with, and if you're someone like me, who grew up in a certain time, then again, they'll feel nostalgic and very welcoming in a sense.
You also get elements of personality and character throughout this record and so that's something that you get attached to as well.
This is a near-perfect, classic pop release that was able to bend genres at free will but remain in that electronic world.
I suggest listening to this one with headphones on so you can soak in everything that's going on; however, again, there are songs that you may just want to move the couch back and dance around the living room to.
Take a deep dive into this one when you can and remember where you heard it first.
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